Written By: Julian Enghauser
East vs. West Coast Hip-Hop: Why I Gravitate Toward the West
While I could never choose which style of old-school hip-hop I love more—East or West Coast—I do find myself gravitating toward the feel of the West. The West tells gritty stories of an impoverished society at war with itself. But there is also an aesthetic of palm trees and beaches that wins over my ears.
The Beachfront Backdrop of West Coast Hip-Hop
The West Coast becomes a kind of beachfront backdrop. It shines upon a pack of glossy lowriders. The cultural atmosphere of Los Angeles mixes with cultures starved of success. This blend creates an audio taste of human duality: beautiful yet gritty, saddening yet proud.
Nobody juggles this humanistic duality more expertly than Ice Cube. He provides a lighter side to the street perspective, as he debuted in the film Friday. He does so again with two songs: You Know How We Do It and Today Was A Good Day.
You Know How We Do It: A West Coast Sunset in Musical Form
You Know How We Do It is the embodiment of a West Coast sunset. Imagine cruising down a street only seconds from the beach. The song retains its street knowledge and grit. It speaks of living within a corner of the “social unknown.” Yet it hypnotically relaxes within its sun-kissed, boom-bapping tunes of coolness.
Today Was A Good Day: A Temporary Success Story
Today Was A Good Day is a success story, even if its circumstances remain temporary. The song leans deeper into living a slice of life. Survival is uncertain, yet right now, everything is at peace. It is a celebration of the moment. The stars of society align on this song’s particular day, allowing for bliss and no violence.
Two Anthems of Casual Coolness
Both songs match the aesthetic of a casual beachside drive. They are lit by the setting Sun or by a warm, windy night. The breeze passes through your face as you observe city lights from LA’s mountainous regions. These songs are stylistically relaxing odes of straight coolness and cultural style.
Ice Cube beautifully creates two iconic West Coast anthems within hip-hop. Both retain an edge while inviting a sense of peace within. I believe these songs feel related through their chilled atmosphere of instrumental funkiness. This double feature of hip-hop songs remains a classic. I hope that as time goes on, this kind of musical title never changes.
Author Media Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianenghauser/
EMAIL
For more hip-hop reviews and emerging artist coverage, check out our full collection of music content here: 👉 https://dopetrackz.com/category/music-articles/
